Strengthening Cooperation in India

The Israeli Air Force Commander flew to India for a visit of the Indian Air Force. Amongst talks regarding strategic changes in current times, there were conversations about common aircrafts and operational challenges

IAF Site | Translation: Ohad Zeltzer Zubida

Over 4,000 Kilometers separate Israel and India but the Israeli and Indian Air Forces have common interests and platforms. This week, the Israeli Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, left for a work visit in India as a part of the strengthening of the cooperation between the forces. The IAF Commander met with the Indian Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha who is serving currently as on duty Chief of Staff (a method customary in India). Later in his visit, the IAF Commander met with the Indian Minister of Defence and senior officials from the Indian army and Defense Systems.

This is Maj. Gen. Eshel’s first visit of the Indian Air Force and he was welcomed with an impressive official ceremony in the India Gate in the Capital New Delhi. The Monument in the India Gate commemorates over 70,000 fallen Indian Soldiers in WWI and the Afghan Wars.

The two forces operater the “Heron” UAV and the “Super Hercules C-130J” and learn from each other in the fields of operations, maintenance, matters of force buildup and personnel training. The intention is to tighten the cooperation and create an operational and technical discourse in light of common challenges.

The IAF Commander said during his visit that the Israeli Air Force considers the Indian Air Force an important and strategic ally in the Israeli Air Forces international cooperation.

The Indian Armed Forces is one of the largest in the world, its Air Force is the fourth largest in the world and is responsible for India’s aerial security and aerial warfare in times of conflict. It recently celebrated 83 years since its establishment and it includes over 120,000 servicemen and women.